IMHO - this is an incredibly naive comment and view that shows you have absolutely no understanding of how government or IR works.
Whilst it may seem "simple" to you - it isn't. And it just doesn't work the way you suggest it would.
Whether the government should have intervene earlier or not is a separate question.
But the question of whether AJ should have picked up the phone and officially requested intervention prior to this drastic action is a flawed understanding of politics and government.
BTW - you do realise that the Trade Unions actually comprise 40% of the structural make up of the ALP. I don't mean 40% of ALP members are unionists, I mean the unions themselves ARE 40% of the Party.
That means you don't get preselected or given a front bench position without the agreement of the relevant union factional heads.
And if this is new to you and you don't believe it -
Australian Labor & Julia Gillard: Making a Difference